unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈra-vəl 
unraveled; unraveling; unravels
1
a
: to disengage or separate the threads of : disentangle
b
: to cause to come apart by or as if by separating the threads of
2
: to resolve the intricacy, complexity, or obscurity of : clear up
unravel a mystery
: to become unraveled
Synonyms
Examples of unravel in a Sentence
Scientists are still unraveling the secrets of DNA.
Their plans unraveled when she lost her job.
His frequent absences from home caused his marriage to unravel.
I feel like my life is unraveling.
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, anyone who’s flown to it hoping to unravel its mysterious past was never heard from again.
—
Paul Tassi, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
His activities throughout this period are a mystery that prosecutors will no doubt seek to unravel.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2024
Some individuals of the species might have been swimming there since colonial times — and researchers are just beginning to unravel how.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Public court records obtained by Outdoor Life in October show how investigators used cell phone records to unravel Alexander’s offenses.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unravel 
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Paul Tassi, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
His activities throughout this period are a mystery that prosecutors will no doubt seek to unravel.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2024
Some individuals of the species might have been swimming there since colonial times — and researchers are just beginning to unravel how.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Public court records obtained by Outdoor Life in October show how investigators used cell phone records to unravel Alexander’s offenses.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unravel
Dictionary Entries Near unravel
Cite this Entry
“Unravel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unravel. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unravel
verb
un·rav·el
ˌən-ˈrav-əl
ˈən-
1
: to separate the threads of : disentangle
unravel a snarl
2
: solve
unravel a mystery
3
: to become unraveled
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